Saddle



July 27,1937. A. D; HAYES 8 8 SADDLE Filed June 15, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheetl INVENTOR Arthur D. HayES- BY Z Z A TTORNEY A. D. HAYES Jul 27; 1937.

SADDLE Filed June 15, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR A TTORNEY PatentedJuly 27, 1937 PATENT orrlc SADD'LE Arthur D. Hayes, Elyria, Ohio,assignor to The Troxel Manufacturing Company, Elyria, Ohio, acorporation of Ohio Application June 15,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to saddles and more particularly to saddles ofthe general type employed on cycles. 7

Some types of saddles heretofore manufactured possessed numerousobjectionable features especially from the viewpoint of manufacturingcosts, appearance after some use, and the inability of the saddle tostand up after a period of time due particularly to the process ofmanufacture.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to produce asaddle of the type referred to which will either eliminate the aboveobjections or materially improve these conditions thus resulting in animproved saddle.

A further object of the invention is to produce a saddle which is lessexpensive to manufacture by reason of the fact that it requiresconsiderably less material in its construction thus eliminatingconsiderable hand labor formerly required.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and novelmeans by which the saddle top is adopted for connection with thereinforcing plate.

With the objects above indicated and other objects hereinafter explainedin view, my invention consists of the construction and combination ofelements hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a saddle embodying the present invention.

Figure 2-15 a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 22 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the saddle shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 4-4 in Figure 3and showing the invention in detail on an enlarged scale.

Figure .5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 4 butshowing the relationship of elements at one step in the process ofassembly.

In the drawings I have shown one type of saddle for the purpose ofillustrating the invention, but it should be understood that theinvention is as readily adapted for use in connection with other types.

The saddle comprises a sheet metal plate I0 generally triangular incontour and conforming to a desired saddle shape, the plate consistingof a pomrnel portion. H and a cantle portion l2 and a, dependingmarginal flange l 3 extending entirely around the plate and preferablyformed integral therewith. Screwthreaded lugs M are connected to theplate and project downwardly from the 1936, Serial No. 85,211

under side by means of which the saddle is adapted for connectionwithany suitable spring suspension means in a well known manner.

The saddle top construction is adapted to be supported by the metalplate l0 and comprises in the present instance, a plurality of layers offabric material l5 arranged in superimposed relation and adhesivelypressed into a unitary structure. This top portion is formed in acomplementary shape with respect to the metal plate ill and is thenassembled thereon in a well known manner. A padding material l6,preferably finely comminuted sponge rubber, is disposed between the topportion l5 and the metal frame Ill and held in place by means of theconnection between the two.

Ordinarily, a similar bottom construction is employed which is preformedand fits upon the under side of the metal plate I0, being secured bymeans of an adhesive. In the first place it is extremely difficult toget a suitable adhesive which will securely hold the preformed bottomfabric to the metal plate I0 and especially is this true after thesaddle has been in actual use for some time and subjected to atmosphericconditions. This is principally due to the particular shape of the undersurface of the metal plate Ill and when this under portion separatesfrom the metal plate it becomes unsightly and is therefore a detrimentto the appearance of the saddle. This under portion further plays nopart in the structural features of the saddle and functions solely as acovering for the under side of the plate and its use unnecessarilyincreases the manufacturing cost of the saddle. For this reason thepresent invention provides a connection between the top portion l5 andmetal plate ll] of the saddle which permits the elimination of thisunder portion and the necessary operations in its production.

I provide a narrow strip of fabric l1, sized or otherwise preferablystiffened, upon the under side of the metal plate I?! which extendscoextensively with the flange I3 and is preferably adhesively connectedthereto as more clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4. The outer edge portion18 extends beyond the adjacent edge of the flange I 3 and is coextensivewith the free edge of the top portion l5 as more clearly shown in Figure4 to permit stitching of the members together after a binding orfinishing strip [9 has been placed around the free edges.

To additionally secure the strip l l to the metal plate It) I provide aplurality of tongues 20 arranged in spaced relation around the flange i3as more clearly shown in Figure 3 which are preferably formed bystamping substantially U shaped cuts in the flange l3 and pressing theintermediate portions inwardly to provide the tongues, which normallyextend at substantially right angles to the flange l3 more clearly shownin Figure 5. With the tongues thus arranged it is a simple matter toforce the strip i7 over the ends thereof and to thus bend the tonguesback toward their respective openings with the result that the fabricstrip 11 is securely held against accidental displacement.

Of course there are many ways in which these tongues may be formed andpressed into engagement with the fabric strip H but I preferably desireto employ the die which presses the preferred parts into a unitarystructure and this is readily accomplished by merely having the male dieengage the extended tongues in its downward movement to securely pressthe latter into cooperating engagement With the fabric strip l'l.

While I have described the preferred embodiment of the invention it isto be understood that I am not to be limited thereto inasmuch as changesand modifications may be resorted to Without departing from the spiritof the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A saddle for cycles comprising a metal plate conforming generally tothe form of the saddle, a covering on one side of said plate, and a bandon the opposite side of said plate and extending around the marginaledge portion of the latter, said plate being provided with a pluralityof tongues projecting through said band and adapted to engage the latterto prevent accidental disengagement therebetween.

2. A saddle for cycles comprising a metal plate conforming generally tothe form of the saddle and having a depending marginal flange extendingtherearound, a non-metallic covering on one side of said plate, and anon-metallic band on the opposite side of said plate and extendingaround the marginal edge portion of the latter, the flange on said platebeing provided with a plurality of tongues projecting through saidnonmetallic band and adapted to engage the latter to prevent accidentaldisengagement therebetween.

ARTHUR D. HAYES.

